Griz in 9th after 18 holes at Big Sky Championship

Kate Bogenschutz, who closed well last year at her first Big Sky Conference Championship, is at it again at Wigwam Golf Club.

The junior shot a 3-over 74 to lead the Montana women's golf team as this year's Championship opened on Monday in Litchfield Park, Ariz.

The Grizzlies shot a team score of 305 and sit ninth out of 10 teams with 36 holes still to be played.

Bogenschutz, who shot 74-75 over last year's final two rounds, birdied the par-5 3rd to get to 1-under, then wrapped up her day with another birdie on the par-5 18th to come in at 74.

Bogenschutz is tied for 25th.

Bella Johnson, who birdied three of her first six holes, shot a 75. Freshman Katie Lewis birdied two of the last six holes to shoot 76. Raina and Hannah Ports both shot 80.

Raina Ports eagled the par-5 5th with a chip-in. Hannah Ports had a chip-in birdie at the par-4 12th.

"We hit fairways just fine. It really comes down to missing in the right spots and converting a few more five- and six-footers," said coach Jimmy Mee. "We gave away a few on the greens coming in.

"It was close today. Tomorrow is going to come down to converting some makeable putts and having no worse than a bogey on the scorecard."

Playing at her first Big Sky Championship, Lewis carded a double-bogey on No. 1, a par 5, and shot 40 for the front nine. Her 36 over the back nine matched Bogenschutz for the team's best score.

"Katie was super nervous at the start but did a great job battling through it," said Mee. "It was nice to see her get settled in."

Johnson is tied for 27th, Lewis is tied for 34th, the Portses are tied for 44th in the 50-golfer field.

The top of the team leaderboard is tight, with everyone looking up at Northern Arizona, which shot a 2-under 282. Northern Colorado and Montana State are two off the lead after shooting even-par 284.

Preseason favorite and three-time defending champion Sacramento State opened with a 287. Idaho State (290) rounds out the top five.

Nine players broke par on Monday, with Sacramento State's Sophia Lee leading the way at 4-under. Lee had a clean scorecard of four birdies and 14 pars.

Northern Arizona's Nina Lukyanenko and Montana State's Norah Seidl, who was 4-under through seven, shot 68 and are one off the lead.

University of Montana Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Kate Bogenschutz

Bella Johnson

Katie Lewis

Hannah Ports

Raina Ports

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